2022 SUMMER PREMIER AUCTION
Wed, Aug 24, 2022 08:00PM EDT - Sun, Oct 9, 2022 08:59AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 800
JOE MONTANA'S MILESTONE FIRST CAREER NFL TOUCHDOWN GAME USED FOOTBALL CAUGHT BY 49ERS TIGHT END BOB BRUER NOV. 18, 1979 VS. BRONCOS - INCLUDES NOTARIZ
Unsold
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
Joe Montana’s storied NFL career began humbly in 1979. The 3rd round draft pick out of Notre Dame suited up for all 16 regular-season games that year, but spent almost all of it on the sidelines backing up 49ers starter Steve DeBerg. In fact, Joe threw just 23 passes the entire season and had only two attempts heading into a November 18th matchup against the Denver Broncos.
On a typical cool and windy Sunday afternoon at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Montana took the field in the fourth quarter to relieve DeBerg with the game already out of reach for the 49ers. Little did the remaining fans realize what they were about to witness was the birth of an NFL legend. After driving the Niners to Denver's 16-yard line, Montana dropped back and found tight end Bob Bruer over the middle for a touchdown to make the score, 38-28, Broncos.
According to 49ers Museum historian Joe Hession, "Observers in the press box claimed the pass looked high, but the 6-foot-5 Bruer thrust his right hand up for a one-handed catch and then tumbled into the end zone." The rookie-to-rookie connection was Montana’s first of 273 career touchdown passes. Since it was also Bruer's first career TD catch (he finished with eight in five NFL seasons), it was he who ultimely kept the ball as a career memento and presented here is that very same football.
Depending who you ask, or what coast you live on, Joe Montana is still considered by some to be the greatest quarterback in NFL history. He certainly became a key inspiration for Tom Brady to eventually surpass his childhood idol in career accolades and take over that coveted GOAT title in most circles. (TB12 can thank the advances of nutrition and modern medicine for playing into his late 40’s.) What Tom can’t touch, though, is Joe’s unblemished 4-0 Super Bowl record. The two-time league MVP and three-time Super Bowl MVP holds the record for most pass attempts without an interception in the Super Bowl at an astonishing 122. Therein lies the debate: longevity vs. perfection. One thing is for sure. When the game was on the line, no signal caller was more clutch than Joe Cool.
Montana's first touchdown ball comes directly from the family of the man who caught it. The official NFL (Pete Rozelle) Wilson "The Duke" football shows solid evidene of game use with a few scratches and scuff, but remains problem-free in great shape. Included is a notarized letter from Bruer’s ex-wife stating that this is indeed the historic ball.
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000
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